First Listen Fridays – New Music to Know – 1st August 2025

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It’s finally Friday, which only means one thing at IndustryMe – First Listen Fridays! IndustryMe Editors Tom and Kloe have chosen ten top tracks that dropped today that every music fan should hear. Whether you’re looking to get a sultry groove on with Tiwa Savage and Skepta, enjoying Reneé Rapp, or Master Peace is more your vibe – we have every mood catered for in ten perfect picks. Let’s dive right in.

Tom’s Picks

Frisco FT. JME, Flowdan, and JayaHadADream – Owe Me One

Now this is a U.K. collab to get excited about. Featuring 3 icons alongside rising star and Purple List alumni, JayaHadADream, this blend of UKG and Grime allows all to shine. Further to this, everyone comes in with some punchy bars that flow seamlessly over this funky beat, with Jaya providing the chorus. When an All-Star line-up delivers, you can’t complain.

Fat Dog – Pray To That

Having been impressed by their recent Glastonbury set, I decided to check out this band’s new single. Their blend of post-punk and dance music, alongside an aggressive delivery from Joe Love, makes for a surefire live anthem. The energy that is brought to the table makes this perfect for a mosh pit or even to just groove to in your own bedroom. In conclusion, a great song that has me excited for their next album.

Slayyyter – BEAT UP CHANEL$

Having recently featured here for a spot on Kesha’s ‘ATTENTION!‘, now, this artist is here solo. The blending of pop, electronic, and rock on the beat courtesy of Wyatt Bernard and Austin Corona makes for a club-ready banger. She is no stranger to cross-genre material, bringing confidence and fun to her performance on the track. A very underrated artist in the pop sphere, Slayyyter keeps on delivering hits.

Master Peace – Shake Me Down

This artist is finally getting their flowers after collaborations with AJ Tracey and Young Franco. With this new one, Dan Carey brings the 80s-style futuristic sounds, with Master Peace bringing the vocals. He really hits those high notes with his soothing tones, giving this a real throwback feel. Complimented nicely by the guitars, this is a nice look back at when the future seemed exciting rather than bleak and dystopian.

Kadeem Tyrell, p-rallel, and Wilfy D – Solo

All these artists have had pretty productive 2025s so far, and they come together nicely here. This mellow mix of house with a sprinkling of saxophone here and there is the perfect sound for Kadeem. He delivers those scintillating vocals over this moody beat that is perfect for the last dance to ease into close. This is sure to be something couples will groove the night away to, and it’s just as good for the singles as well. Lovely stuff.

Kloe’s Picks

Tiwa Savage and Skepta – On The Low

This is a union I didn’t know I needed till I heard it. Get ready for sultry, sexy, and smooth listening as man of the moment Skepta joins forces with Afrobeats A-lister Tiwa Savage. This is a track dedicated to low-key links and hot hookups and that transitional period when it becomes public. The sizzling singles drops ahead of her fourth album ‘This One Is Personal‘ expected in late August. Skepta keeps it light on the lyricism on this one, letting Tiwa set the tone with her tantalising vocals. This is a perfect pairing that I can’t get enough of.

Ciara, Latto, and Jazze Pha – This Right Here

In a major salute to Atlanta’s Black female artistry, Ciara’s newest single sees her pair up with an old girlfriend and a new one. Powerful producer Jazze Pha has previously delivered ‘Get Up‘ and ‘1, 2 Step‘ for Cici – so this reunion is steeped in nostalgia. Meanwhile, Latto – who is made for beats like this – hops on board with a playful energy. This up-tempo track is fizzing with attitude and empowerment and gets fans even more excited for the new album. This latest project will be the singer’s first album drop in six years, and is landing later this month.

Aaliyah and Tank – Gone

There’s only one Aaliyah. A talent never again to be replicated, it’s unsurprising that even today her posthumous work still strikes a chord with R&B fans worldwide. R&B legend in his own right, Tank, has collaborated with the late talent on a goosebump inducing slow jam. Their relationship goes back a long way, as he was once a backing singer for the songstress. This soulful jam is no AI deep fake, this is original Aaliyah vocals tastefully brought together for the real fans. Enjoy.

YG and Leon Thomas – LOVERS OR FRIENDS

West coast rapper YG has enlisted the current R&B cheat code, Leon Thomas, to a funky, flavoursome record that is a departure from his usual style. Accompanied by a fantastic Michael Jackson inspired music video, the pair seek clarity from a lady love about the status of their relationship. Over a mid-tempo bounce, the newly independent rap star explores new sounds in a track that gets you in your feelings and gets you dancing.

Reneé Rapp – Shy

After much anticipation, the second full-length album from the world’s favourite destructive pop princess has landed. The 12-track release sees the actress-turned-singer deliver an array of exceptionally crafted bangers that houses her trademark unfiltered honesty. ‘Shy‘ is a standout track on the project – a noughties inspired sound where she apologises for coming off coy with a new love. ‘I swear / That I’m really not scared / I’m just a little bit shy.’, she sings. Does anyone else have a hard time believing that?

Follow IndustryMe on Instagram, Threads, X, or YouTube. Press play on our First Listen Fridays playlist below to enjoy all our top picks. Read last week’s picks here. Don’t forget to follow the playlist on Spotify below or Apple Music.

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